to feel concerned about coming back to live in the U.K.

[tropicaltailwind]

I’m an expat. I left the U.K. in 2011. I go back every year to see family and friends. I keep up with British news and politics. I still think of Britain as my ancestral home. And I’m planning to come back, probably within four years.

I am worried about the Britain I’m bringing my family back to. The NHS under severe strain, crumbling social services, cost of living, shit in the rivers and sea, the rise of hard right politics. Do you think life in Britain has changed significantly in the last dozen years? Am I BU to worry about coming home?

I was in Norwich yesterday. It hasn't changed since I was a kid. Norfolk hasn't really either. The advantages of being a backwards bunch with shit roads is pretty clear. Granted, Marigold is no longer waving puppets at traffic and the Banger Stop are now on the market instead of opposite Timpsons (I think they gave changed their sausages though).

The internet will tell you the while world is a sensational, living nightmare. It really isn't.

The UK is a safe, rich, democratic country with a welfare state, free press and a vibrant sporting and cultural life. I'm not sure what else you're looking for?

The schools' budgets and general student behaviour is a lot worse so your teen will need to have realistic expectations and resilience.
The lack of NHS dentistry is heartbreaking but your teen might get a private one from £15/month.
The cost of living is eyewatering but if you are used to high costs won't make a difference.
There was noticeably more Union flags a few years back (where I am used to be Labour stronghold) but many have realised Brexit/this government have been a shitshow.
You will suffer from reverse culture shock regardless but will be happy for the things you missed for at least a year, until the novelty wears off. Family dynamics and relationships may have already moved on irrevocably so do not rely on them as people move on/have got used to a life without you in it.
Good luck!

V fashionable my area but overcrowded and little peace or community or anything nice unless you want ludicrously expensive boutique stores and to eat and drink a lot of high class food. For people living in the area, it's just hard work. Lots of tourists, students, and commuters. All transient.

I think the UK has become more Americanised (very volatile and reactive) but I still think it's a wonderful place to live.

Where are you living now?

Thanks again for all the responses.
One question I have is availability of prescriptions. I’m on HRT, statins & have Hashimotos so take thyroid meds. Would I need to buy private health insurance to access these meds in UK?
(Understand that private dental insurance needs to be planned for already due to lack of NHS dentists)

DS will have completed his orthodontist stuff by the time we move. He’d be starting 6th form. I think there are some good 6th form places in Norwich.

What do your close friends and families in the area you are moving too say? That will give you a better idea.

We returned to the UK a few years ago after quite a few years of working abroad. I was really worried too as we had always had good medical care abroad - although we paid for it or had insurance. We rented initially in the UK and signed on at the local doctor. We were both given a full medical and sent for blood tests etc. Husband was on blood pressure pills and prescription just continued. Have your old NHS number ready which will make things smoother. People knock the NHS but I was impressed with how they treated us. Sent me for a mammogram to get me in the system even though I had had one the year before. I still can't get over the fact that there is no paperwork and you don't have to pay before walking out of the surgery.

One question I have is availability of prescriptions. I’m on HRT, statins & have Hashimotos so take thyroid meds. Would I need to buy private health insurance to access these meds in UK?

No, you'll be able to get all these from your GP. Bring your family's medical notes with you when you come back or arrange for their transfer once you've registered with a GP practice here.

Hi OP
Unless you were on Universal Credit and not earning more than £435 (or £935 with child under 18) you'll be paying for those three prescriptions.

• Each item on an NHS prescription usually costs £9.65 so your 3 prescriptions would normally be £28.95 a month- statins/thyroid/HRT.

On your return to the UK you'll need to register with a GP and prove you are "ordinarily resident" in the UK - this means your child being enrolled in school, having a job here, links with family, home etc Usually after three months being here and having put down roots again, you qualify (I was nonetheless asked to prove it after two years of being back as my son had accessed the NHS).

You will be financially better off therefore if you have an NHS pre payment certificate for your meds. There was one for HRT only and one that covers all your prescriptions iirc.
Last time I looked:
The certificate covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set price. You will save money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or 11 items in 12 months.
A PPC costs:
£31.25 for 3 months (£10.41/mth)
£111.60 for 12 months (£9.30/mth)
So if you set it up when you get back, you'll be saving £19.65/month by paying £111.60/ a year.

Apologies if prices have gone up since then. Plus the HRT I think is covered, pending which one you are on so double-check ahead.

I'm on HRT and some other meds. DH is on statins plus a bunch of other meds. We've been able to get these on the NHS no problem. The difficulty with the NHS is the availability of GP appointments, waiting times to see a consultant, the state of A&E and the fact that if you go into hospital you're likely to go onto a ward with a load of other people, some of whom make lots of constant loud noise either because they don't care or because they are suffering greatly (that's if you can even get a bed). Having private healthcare helps with planned interventions but doesn't offer emergency care so you could end up in a scary situation even if you have private cover.

I've lived in five different countries. I grew up in the USA and now live in England. Overall I prefer England. However when I get older I think I might move back to the USA because medical care is far superior - if you can afford it. I'm very fortunate in that I can. However the USA is overall a way worse shit show than England is by far. I think basically the whole Western world is in decline and there's pretty much nowhere you can live in it that's as good as it was a few years ago.

I live in East Anglia. Norwich is one of my closest cities & the head office of the charity I work for is there, so I go there often. I would say the quality of life is good, including healthcare - except dentists! There seems to be a dearth of not just NHS, but also private dentists.

I keep up with news from BBC, C4, Guardian, and my friends and family in the U.K

Oh my goodness darling! If you are getting your news from the above, you will rightly be worried as they portrait the UK as somewhere awful and over exaggerate everything. For what it's worth Ireland has 'shit' in its waters and there's more of a far right problem in Ireland, Netherlands and Germany. The NHS has waiting lists for certain areas, but the biggest hit you will face is getting an NHS dentist.

Norwich and Norfolk is gorgeous, don't listen to the naysayers. I wish you all the best.